Psalms 53:5 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

This is a second version of Psalms 14 with the important difference that God (Elohim) is everywhere substituted for the Lord (Jehovah). There are a few other variations and additions, especially in Psalms 53:5 (= Psalms 14:5-6). The changes are interesting chiefly as an illustration of the process of editing which was applied to many Pss. and many portions of the OT., and in particular of the consistent preferences, on the part of separate writers, for one divine name rather than another.

Title.—Mahalath] variously interpreted: (1) as a corruption of Alamoth (see Psalms 46), (2) as the first word of the song to the tune of which the Ps. was set, and (3) as an instrument such as the flute or cithern. For Maschil see on Psalms 32.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 53:1

Psalms 53:1-6

1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

6 Oh thata the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.